NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team will return to Redbird Arena as they host UNI and Drake on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
GAME INFORMATION VS. UNI
Illinois State Redbirds (7-4, 0-0) vs. UNI Panthers (7-5, 0-0)
When: Friday, Jan. 4
Tip-Off: 7p.m.CT
THE SERIES VS. UNI
• The Redbirds are 40-36 overall when facing the Panthers. The 'Birds are 23-14 at home, 16-19 at UNI and 1-3 at a neutral site.
• The teams most recently met on March 9, 2018 at the MVC Tournament, where ISU dropped 56-36.
REDBIRD BITS
• Illinois State enters the contest on a six-game win streak and undefeated at home. This is the longest win streak since the 2012-13 season.
• TeTe Maggett swept the MVC weekly honors on Wednesday, earning her third Newcomer of the Week and first Player of the Week recognition. The junior guard guided ISU to a 62-55 win over UMKC on Sunday, netting a career high 24 points, while being perfect from the free-throw line (10-for-10) and long range (2-for-2). Maggett has added double points in all but two contests this season
• Simone Goods is the only MVC player to stand in the top three for both scoring (18.7) and rebounding (8.6). The senior forward also ranks nationally at No. 49 for points per game, and added her 500th career point in a Redbird jersey in Sunday's win over UMKC.
• ISU leads the Valley in scoring defense (57.3) and field goal percentage defense (36.6).
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
• The Panthers are led by Karli Rucker (15.8 ppg) and Ellie Howell (10.8 ppg).
• The squad faced Kansas State to close out the non-conference slate and fell to the Wildcats 72-62 on Saturday.
• Sophomore forward Bre Gunnels has stepped into the starting lineup for UNI, shooting .424 from the field and .438 from the three-point line. She is also averaging 5.1 rebounds per game in just 12.1 minutes per game on the court.
• UNI is in the top 20 in the country free-throw percentage, shooting 77.0 from the line.
GAME INFORMATION VS. DRAKE
Illinois State Redbirds (7-4, 0-0) vs. Drake Bulldogs (8-4, 0-0)
When: Sunday, Jan. 6
Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CT
THE SERIES VS. DRAKE
• The Redbirds are 35-43 overall against the Bulldogs. The 'Birds are 21-16 at home, 13-23 at Drake and 1-4 at a neutral site.
• The teams most recently met on Feb. 25, 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa and the Bulldogs captured an 80-64 victory.
• Coach Gillespie has previously met Coach Baranczyk in 2002 at the LMU Thanksgiving Classic in Los Angeles, California. Gillespie was working as a graduate assistant under the direction of legendary, Kay Yow at NC State and Coach Baranczyk was playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. NC State defeated Baranczyk and the Hawkeyes 69-66 in overtime on Nov. 29, 2002. This will be the fourth meeting between the two as head coaches.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
• Drake was the favorite in the preseason poll with 35 of the 40 first-place votes and 363 total points.
• The Bulldogs have appeared in Associated Press' women's college basketball poll this season, standing as high as 21st on Dec. 3.
• The team is led by Sara Rhine (18.5 ppg) and Becca Hittner (17.8 ppg). The duo accounts for 45 percent of Drake's scoring.
• The Bulldogs lead the Valley in scoring offense (80.3) and field goal percentage (47.6).
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Per the new clear bag policy, each ticketed guest can carry one large clear bag- either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or the 12"x 6"x 12" clear bag- plus a small clutch purse (4.5" x 6.5") into the venue. The small clutch must be carried into the venue outside the clear bag and is subject to search.
NEXT UP
The Redbirds return to the road on Friday, Jan. 11 to face the Indiana State Sycamores. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. CT start. Â
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